Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the School day?

School starts with Registration at 8.20am (Monday to Friday) and 8.40am on Saturday.

Lessons begin at 8.55am. They end at 4.00pm on Monday to Wednesday, at around 3.00pm on Thursday and Friday and at 12.30pm on Saturday. From September 2012 the School will no longer have timetabled lessons on Saturdays; the effect of this on the timings of the School day form Monday to Friday have not yet been finalised, but it is likely that lessons will run until later on at least most days.

After each day’s timetabled lesson the School runs an extensive Games and Activities programme. This programme runs up to around 5.30pm on Monday to Friday and around 3.45pm on Saturday. Each pupil’s involvement in the Games and Activities programme varies, so the time at which pupils are free to leave school can vary. However, the pattern of leaving times will generally stay the same each week.

How does the House system work?

Each pupil belongs to one of the ten Houses. The Houses provide work, recreational and changing facilities. The exact facilities depend on whether the pupil is a Boarder or Day pupil. The Houses also provide a tutor system and the chance for the Housemaster/mistress to really get to know the pupil well and to become a strong mentor and guide, and source of help during the time the pupil is with them.

How does Mill Hill deal with bullying?

Mill Hill takes bullying very seriously. The rules for pupils state clearly: "Bullying will not be tolerated at this school and will not be excused on grounds of it being part of a game." The pupils themselves share our desire to make Mill Hill a positive and enjoyable place to be. Members of the School are elected to the Anti-Bullying and Mentor Council, which meets regularly with a Deputy Head and the Chaplain. Pictures of the Committee are prominently displayed and every pupil knows they can turn to a member of the ABC, as well as any adult, if they feel unhappy.

What is the sanction and reward system at the School?

The principles behind Mill Hill’s disciplinary structure are simple: respect for oneself; respect for others; respect for property, and the environment and ethos of the School. The rules that guide these principles are laid down in the Pupil Behaviour Protocol, which is given to every pupil on their entry to the School. We expect parents and pupils to read it and accept its philosophy. The sanctions we impose for breaches of the protocol are also laid down within it. Essentially these consist of internal punishments reflecting the nature of the offence (eg Academic Detetntion or Punctuality Detention), through to more major sanctions (School or Headmaster’s Detention). For the most major breaches of discipline suspension or expulsion might be necessary. The vast majority of Millhillians are, however, proud of their school and of themselves, and they seek to positively support the ethos of the School.

What extra-curricular activities are offered?

Any list of extra-curricular activities will not fully capture what goes on at a school like Mill Hill, since many of our pupils do things of their own initiative as well as in an organised activity. A flavour of the breadth of choice may be gained from the following, however:

• Art
• Aerobics
• Athletics
• Badminton
• Basketball
• Chess
• Computing
• Creative Writing
• Cricket nets
• Cross Country
• Design Technology
• Drama
• Duke of Edinburgh Award
• Eton Fives
• Golf
• Fencing
• Fitness training
• Flying
• Horse Riding*
• Indoor football

• Information Technology
• Martial Arts
• Music - individual lessons
• Music - recording studio
• Music - contemporary
• Netball
• Sailing
• School Magazine
• Scuba Diving*
• Shooting
• Soccer
• Squash
• Swimming
• Taekwondo*
• Tennis
• Video design
• Volleyball
• Web design
• Weights

* Additional cost